Westport Reminds Businesses To Shovel Sidewalk Snow And Ice

WESTPORT, CT — As winter continues to wallop Westport and the rest of the state, the town's Department of Public Works is reminding all commercial property owners that "they are responsible for any and all snow and ice removal from the sidewalk" in front of their business.

According to DPW Director Peter Ratkiewich, the sidewalk to be cleared falls "within the Town and or State rights-of-way for the total frontage of [a business] property and for the entire width of the sidewalk."

The snow and/or ice must be removed within 24 hours of the weather event, and if a business does not clear the obstruction from its sidewalk, it faces a $90 fine with each offense resulting in a separate penalty.

Patch reached out to Ratkiewich for more information but did not immediately receive a reply.

The following are the town and state ordinances that deal with snow and ice removal by businesses:

Westport ordinance: Sec. 50-407. - Business use sidewalks—Snow and ice removal The owner or person in possession and control of any property adjoining any business use sidewalk shall provide for the removal of snow and ice from such business use sidewalk within 24 hours after the deposit or formation of snow or ice. (Code 1981, § 128-3)

State Law reference - Authority to require adjacent landowners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, C.G.S. § 7-148(c)(6)(C)(v).

The penalties for non-compliance are as follows:

Westport ordinance: Sec. 50-404 - Penalties for offenses. The Director of Public Works is authorized to impose monetary penalties for a violation of maintenance as set forth in Section 50-406, removal of ice and snow as set forth in Section 50-407, and the removal of barriers, obstructions or overgrowths as set forth in Section 50-408, upon the failure of the owner, or person in possession and control to do so after notice, if required in this article. Violation of any provision of this article shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $90.00, payable to the Town. Each violation of this article shall be a separate and distinct offense, and in the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.

Westport ordinance: Sec. 50-409 - Costs recovery for removal, repair; certificate of lien. The Director of Public Works or his/her designee is authorized to cause repairs or replacements to be made as set forth in Section 50-406, ice and snow to be removed as set forth in Section 50-407, and the removal of barriers, obstructions or overgrowths as set forth in Section 50-408, upon the failure of the owner, or person in possession and control to do so after notice, if required herein. The expense of such labor and/or material, including any and all administration and inspection costs incurred in carrying out the purposes of this article shall be a lien upon the premises adjoining the sidewalk. The Director of Public Works, or his/her designee, shall cause a certificate of lien to be recorded in the Town Clerk's office within 60 days after completion of such removal, repair or replacement, if the cost is not reimbursed.

For more information, contact the Westport Department of Public Works at 203-341-1120.